In my thesis I analysed the use of fictional and non-fictional texts in kindergarten. It consists of a theoretical and an empirical part.
In the theoretical part, I first defined the term "text". This was followed by the definition of fictional and non-fictional texts, the categorisation and reading of these texts and the selection for work in kindergarten. I analysed the Curriculum for kindergartens (1999), A child in kindergarten: A guide to Curriculum for kindergartens (2001) manual and the updated Curriculum for kindergartens (2025) and summarised the guidelines for dealing with fictional and non-fictional texts in kindergarten that are defined in these documents. I then differentiated between reading and narrating texts, defined the reading event in kindergarten, and described how preschool teachers should prepare for it.
In the empirical part of my dissertation, I conducted a study to find out what types of texts preschool teachers use when working with children and when they use them, what texts are available to children in their playrooms, how preschool teachers select and prepare to work with appropriate texts, and whether and how they work with parents to promote literacy.
I conducted the research using a questionnaire completed by 49 preschool teachers. The questionnaire contained 11 content-related questions, both closed-ended and mixed types. I then analysed the data using Microsoft Excel, presented it in charts and interpreted the results with the help of specialist literature.
The results of the study show that preschool teachers use fictional texts more frequently than non-fictional texts. Among the fictional texts, fairy tales are the most frequently used in preschool work, while among the non-fictional texts, educational picture books are the most frequently used. Fictional texts are most frequently used during morning circle time, while non-fictional texts are used when acquiring new knowledge. In the playrooms, the children have access to a variety of non-fictional texts. These are mostly educational books and magazines as well as nameplates with the children's names. Both fictional and non-fictional texts can be found in the reading corners, with picture books – both fictional and informational – being the most popular. When selecting texts, the preschool teachers pay particular attention to whether the text is age-appropriate. The variety of text types is seen as the least important factor. More than half of preschool teachers prepare for working with texts by reading them carefully several times and planning the associated activities in a structured way. Most groups, especially in the second age group, take part in such projects and at least half of the parents are actively involved.
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